Mikel Arteta confirms double Arsenal injury blow as Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie both miss training after sustaining problems in the WARM-DOWN against Leeds

· DailyMail

Mikel Arteta has been dealt a double blow on the eve of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Lille, as both Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi missed training with injuries.

Mikel Arteta has been dealt a double blow on the eve of Arsenal 's Champions League clash with Lille, as both Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi missed training with injuries picked up in the warm-down following Saturday's win over Leeds .

The Gunners came from behind to win 2-1 against Daniel Farke 's in-form side on Saturday, bouncing back after losing 3-0 to Brighton before the international break.

But Arteta will be cursing his luck after both Hincapie and Zubimendi sustained issues in the warm-down, having each started the Premier League clash on the bench.

> 'We had a training session planned for after game for players that did not have enough minutes... and in two very unfortunate actions we lost two players. Not great,' said Arteta on Monday.

> 'We need to assess them today and have further scans to see where they are then we will have a timeframe on how long they are going to be out for.'

Asked if they could have done anything to prevent the unfortunate injuries from happening, he replied: 'Very easy, you don't train. If they never train then they don't get injured, but the consequence to that is when they are needed play they have no rhythm and when you ask them to play they are going to have no impact in the game.

> 'That could happen at the Emirates - it never happened in seven years that I have been here. It could happen the next day in the training session. That has happened before and hopefully it doesn't happen again.

> 'What can you do? If I had a crystal ball I would just say "guys, get in the Jacuzzi and I will see you tomorrow".'

Tuesday's clash with Lille would have given Arteta an ideal opportunity to rotate personnel, with several stars returning to the Emirates in need of a rest after a busy international break.

Mikel Arteta has been dealt a double blow on the eve of Arsenal's clash with Lille

Martin Zubimendi (second left) and Piero Hincapie (right) picked up injuries in the warm down

Hincapie's absence means Riccardo Calafiori may have to start again at left-back, unless Jurrien Timber or Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started in midfield against Leeds, come in to deputise in that position.

Calafiori has been rested so far in the Champions League by Arteta, having been one of Arsenal's standout players this campaign with a goal and two assists from defence.

Midfield is less of a problem area for Arteta despite Zubimendi's injury, with Mikel Merino, Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice and Lewis-Skelly all capable of playing in Arsenal's double pivot.

More to follow.

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